Doris Kearns Goodwin opens by examining historical American presidential leadership examples in detail, arguing these historical cases reveal enduring leadership principles applicable well beyond their original specific historical contexts.

Why these historical examples provide enduring relevant insight:

• Goodwin's extensive historical research, drawing on her decades of presidential biography work, identifies patterns and principles that transcend the specific historical circumstances of each individual case examined
• This historical grounding provides credible, detailed illustration of leadership principles rather than purely abstract theoretical discussion
• This opening establishes the book's foundational approach, using detailed historical examination to illuminate enduring leadership principles

This opening establishes the book's foundational approach, using Goodwin's extensive historical presidential research to illuminate leadership principles transcending their specific original contexts.